Kassel, Christian, Turaev, Vladimir

Braid Groups

Series: Graduate Texts in Mathematics , Preliminary entry 632
2007, Approx. 320 p. 60 illus., Hardcover
ISBN: 0-387-33841-1

About this textbook

Braids and braid groups have been at the heart of important mathematical developments over the last two decades. Introduced to the field of mathematics by Artin in the 1920fs, their association with permutations has led to their presence in a number of mathematical fields and even physics. They form central objects in knot theory and three-dimensional topology and have led to the creation of a new field called quantum topology. Important results related to their linearity and orderability have fostered a lot of mathematical activity.

Braids and braid groups form the central topic of this text. The authors begin with an introduction to the basic theory highlighting the several definitions of braid groups and showing their equivalence. The relationship between braids, knots and links is then investigated. Recent developments in this field follow next, with a focus on the linearity and orderability of braid groups. This excellent presentation is motivated by numerous examples and problems. Five elaborate appendices containing additional relevant material complete the text.

Based on lectures given by the authors at the Bourbaki Seminar and in a graduate course, this well-written book is ideal for graduate students and all mathematicians that would like to be introduced to the fascinating world of braids and braid groups.

Table of contents

Braids and Braid Groups.- Braids, Knots, and Links.- Burau Representation.- Garside Monoids and Braid Monoids.- Representations and the Iwahori-Hecke Algebras.- Orderings.- Appendix A. Free Groups and Magnus Expansion.- Appendix B. Fibrations and Homotopy Sequences.- Appendix C. The Symmetric Groups.- Appendix D. Representations of Finite Groups and Finite-dimensional Algebras.- Appendix E. Presentations of the Modular Group.- Notes.- Bibliography.- Index

Bures, J., Lancker, P.V., Sommen, F., Soucek, V.

Function Theory for Higher Spin Equations

Series: Progress in Mathematical Physics , Preliminary entry 1520
2007, Approx. 295 p. 10 illus., Hardcover
ISBN: 0-8176-4502-0

About this textbook

This text examines functions on Rn (rather than spinor-valued functions) with values in the Clifford algebra in higher dimensions. There is a close connection between the higher dimensional analogues of the Dolbeault complex and properties of solutions of higher spin analogues of the Rarita?Schwinger equations. An examination of a number of related questions that are now well understood forms the main topic of this book.

Two different methods are presented in parallel for describing function theory for higher spin equations. One is based on results and language developed over many decades in the Clifford analysis setting; the other on differential geometry, in particular, from recent research concerning invariant differential operators on manifolds with a given parabolic structure.

Table of contents

Preface.- Prolog: Conformally Invariant Equations on the Sphere.- Two Dirac Equations.- Symmetric Analogues of Rarita--Schwinger Equations.- The Three-dimensional Case.- The Four-dimensional Case.- Avenues for Future Research.- Appendix 1: Conformally Invariant First-order Differential Equations on Manifolds.- Appendix 2: Representation Theory of the Orthogonal Group.- Blibliography.- Index.

Nottale, Laurent

The Theory of Scale Relativity
Non-differentiable Geometry, Fractal Space-time, and Quantum Mechanics

Series: Progress in Mathematical Physics , Preliminary entry 1510
2007, Approx. 400 p. 49 illus., Hardcover
ISBN: 0-8176-4498-9

About this book

This book provides a comprehensive survey of the state-of-the-art in the development of the relativity theory of scales. This theory suggests an original solution to the disunified nature of the classical-quantum transition in physical systems, enabling quantum mechanics to be based on the principle of relativity provided this principle is extended to scale transformations of the reference system.

In the framework of such a newly-generalized relativity theory (including position, orientation, motion and scale transformations), the fundamental laws of physics may be given a general form that transcends and integrates the classical and the quantum regimes. A related concern of this book is the geometry of space-time, particularly at small scales. Analogous to Einstein's construction of general relativity (of motion) based on the generalization of flat space-time to curved Riemannian space-time, scale relativity suggests a generalization based on non-differentiable and fractal geometry.

Part I addresses the current state of the theory, introduces new mathematical and physical tools, reviews recent developments, and considers open questions. Part II is devoted to applications to high energy physics, astrophysics, and cosmology. Part III is concerned with applications in biology and the life sciences: species and societal evolution, embryogenesis and fundamental biological processes.

By collecting and organizing developments and applications from diverse fields, it is hoped that this monograph will serve as a reference for graduate students and researchers interested in the foundations of physics, quantum mechanics, astronomy, cosmology, the life sciences, self-organization processes, and scale-dependent phenomena. Prerequisites are limited to a basic knowledge of classical and quantum mechanics, special and general relativity, and fluid mechanics.

Table of contents

Preface.- Part I: Theory.- Introduction.- Structure of the Theory.- From Non-differentiability to Fractality.- Scale Laws.- Fractal Space and Induced Quantum Mechanics.- Fractal Space-time and Relativistic Quantum Mechanics.- Gauge Theories and Scale Relativity.- Quantum Mechanics in Scale-Space.- Part II: Applications to Physics.- Application to Elementary Particle and High Energy Physics.- Application to Gravitational Structuring.- Application to Cosmology.- Part III: Applications to Social and Life Sciences.- Application of Scale Laws to Sciences of Life.- Application of Generalized Quantum Laws to Sciences of Life.- Application of New Quantum Mechanics in Scale-Space.- Future Prospects.- Conclusion.- References.- Index.


Udwadia, Firdaus E.

Introduction to the Theory of Linear Vibrations and its Applications

Series: Mathematical Concepts and Methods in Science and Engineering , Vol. 51
Approx. 385 p., 2007, Approx. 380 p. 40 illus., Hardcover
ISBN: 0-387-31052-5

About this textbook

Linear vibrations is a topic of central interest in numerous fields of engineering and is widely applicable to civil, mechanical, aerospace, and biomedical engineering. This book deals with the elements of the theory of linear vibrations and its applications.

The theory of linear vibrations is systematically developed starting from the basics. In a systematic manner, the author deals with single-degree of freedom systems before progressing to the more complex multi-degree of freedom systems. Topics such as Laplace transforms, complex frequency responses, elements of feedback control and aspects of time-delayed control and its applications are discussed at the end. A set of graded problems, to exercise the understanding of the student, is provided at the end of each chapter. Numerous illustrative examples are provided in each chapter alongside the development of the theory. In addition, there are two chapters specifically devoted to illustrative examples and applications.

By including topics from stability and control theory, the book aims to provide the student with a broader view of the application areas to which the theory is germane. It is meant to be a text for a one semester, first course, on the subject, suitable for seniors and/or first year graduate students in engineering. Applied mathematicians will also find this book useful.

Table of contents

Basic Mechanics, Single Degree of Freedom Systems.- Undamped Single Degree of Freedom (SDOF) Systems, Free Vibrations.- Damped SDOF Systems, Free Vibrations.- Harmonic Excitation of Damped SDOF Systems, Resonance.- Isolation of Instruments and Foundations, Motion Sensing Instrumentation.- Response of Damped SDOF Systems to General Excitations.- Damping in Structural and Mechanical Systems, Viscous, Structural, Bouc-Wen, and Coulomb Damping.- Illustrative Examples and Applications of SDOF Systems.- Laplace Transforms, Complex Frequency Response; Elements of Structural Feeddback Control, Time-Delayed Control.- Two Degree of Freedom Systems, Eigenvalues, Mode Shapes, Modal Frequencies.- Classically and non-classically Damped Multi-degree of Freedom Systems(MDOF).- generalized coordinates, Lagrange's Equations, Linearization, and Equivalent linearization; Stability, Examples.- Elements of Feedback Control of MDOF Systems.- Illustrative Examples and Applications of MDOF Systems.- An Introduction to Continuous Systems

Weibel, Peter; Ord, Garnet N.; Rossler, Otto E. (Eds.)

Space Time Physics and Fractality
Festschrift in honour of Mohamed El Naschie on the occasion of his 60th birthday

2005, XXII, 231 p. with numerous figs., Hardcover
ISBN: 3-211-25210-X

About this book

Space and Time are the prison bars of reality. Space Time Physics and Fractality is an attempt to tunnel through the rigidity of it all ? by turning everything into dust or smoke. These two ancient traditions are brought together here for the first time ? in the spirit of Democritus and Anaxagoras. Mohamed El Naschie, the sexagenarian, is the "dust dragon". The book contains papers by people who are infected by the same virus of desperately wanting to understand, and represents an incomparable breakthrough. Not for the feebleminded, however.

Table of contents

Foreword.- Elnashai, A.: Recollections.- Martienssen, W.: Congratulations.- Grigolini, P.: Quantum Mechanics and Non-Ordinary Statistical Mechanics.- Ord, G. N.: Bohr, Bohm and Entwined Paths.- Nottale, L.: On the Transition from the Classical to the Quantum Regime in Fractal Space-Time Theory.- Rossler, O. E.: Needle People and Pancake People: The Gulliver Effect.- Finkelstein, D. R.: Cosmic Computation.- Greiner, W., Solovfyov, A.: Atomic Cluster Physics: New Challenges for Theory and Experiment.- Kroger, H.: Why are Probabilistic Laws Governing Quantum Mechanics and Neurobiology?.- Sidharth, B. G.: Ramifications of Non Commutative Spacetime.- Svozil, K.: Computational Universes.- Diebner, H. H., Grond, F.: Usability of Synchronization for Cognitive Modeling.- Kapitaniak, T.: Riddling Bifurcation and ... Interstellar Journeys.- de Boer, R.: Theoretical Poroelasticity ? A New Approach.- El Naschie, M. S.: From Hilbert space to the number of Higgs particles via the quantum two-slit experiment